A novel way to treat refractory waste: Sonication followed by wet oxidation (SONIWO)

The effectiveness of the hybrid system sonication followed by wet oxidation (SONIWO) to treat otherwise refractory waste has been demonstrated. In such a hybrid system homogeneous CuSO₄ catalyst was found to be very efficient.     

POSS-based luminescent hybrid material for enhanced photo-emitting properties

In this present work, we have developed a novel POSS type monomer ligand “2,6-pyridinediamine-bis-(propanylheptaisobutyl POSS)” (PDC-POSS) and utilized in the preparation of potential luminescent hybrid complex Eu-PDC-POSS with an inner transition metal ion Eu³⁺. The solubility and photo-emitting properties of new Eu-PDC-POSS hybrid material were studied. The precursor PDC-POSS was synthesized by treating (3-aminopropyl)heptaisobutyl POSS with PDC (2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid chloride), and then coordinated with Eu³⁺ using europium nitrate to afford Eu-PDC-POSS hybrid material. The europium-doped hybrid material was characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy along with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The photo emitting properties were studied using a fluorescence spectrophotometer in which, the results showed enhancement in red emission peak at 618 nm for Eu-PDC-POSS, when compared to that of a known solgel-based material Eu-PDC-solgel.     

Generating model-based test cases from natural language requirements for space application software

Natural Language (NL) deliverables suffer from ambiguity, poor understandability, incompleteness, and inconsistency. Howewer, NL is straightforward and stakeholders are familiar with it to produce their software requirements documents. This paper presents a methodology, SOLIMVA, which aims at model-based test case generation considering NL requirements deliverables. The methodology is supported by a tool that makes it possible to automatically translate NL requirements into Statechart models. Once the Statecharts are derived, another tool, GTSC, is used to generate the test cases. SOLIMVA uses combinatorial designs to identify scenarios for system and acceptance testing, and it requires that a test designer defines the application domain by means of a dictionary. Within the dictionary there is a Semantic Translation Model in which, among other features, a word sense disambiguation method helps in the translation process. Using as a case study a space application software product, we compared SOLIMVA with a previous manual approach developed by an expert under two aspects: test objectives coverage and characteristics of the Executable Test Cases. In the first aspect, the SOLIMVA methodology not only covered the test objectives associated to the expert’s scenarios but also proposed a better strategy with test objectives clearly separated according to the directives of combinatorial designs. The Executable Test Cases derived in accordance with the SOLIMVA methodology not only possessed similar characteristics with the expert’s Executable Test Cases but also predicted behaviors that did not exist in the expert’s strategy. The key benefits from applying the SOLIMVA methodology/tool within a Verification and Validation process are the ease of use and, at the same time, the support of a formal method consequently leading to a potential acceptance of the methodology in complex software projects.     

On Proposing Statecharts to Specify Performance Models

This paper shows that Statecharts, a high-level specification technique, can be used to represent performance models. This is a powerful technique and is based on state-transition diagrams added with concepts of hierarchy and orthogonality to represent a system behavior. It is shown that Statecharts may conveniently be used to represent models with richness and clarity. Using an analytical approach the technique to determine performance measurements is provided. Three examples are presented and the results show Statecharts' potential for representing systems for performance evaluation.     

Pressure dependent phase transitions in (Pb,Ca)TiO3: Determination of structure using high pressure synchrotron X-ray and Raman studies

Pressure dependent studies on technologically important ferroelectric material Pb_0.70Ca_0.30TiO₃ show the occurrence of a new hitherto unreported pressure dependent phase transition around 4 GPa. In the pressure range 4–14 GPa, the parent tetragonal (P4mm) phase of Pb_0.70Ca_0.30TiO₃ transforms in to a monoclinic (Cm) phase before attaining its paraelectric cubic (Pm3m) phase around 15 GPa. High pressure Raman studies reveal the presence of a critical pressure above which the ferroelectric phase starts to reappear in the paraelectric phase. This critical pressure is found to be much lower than the critical pressure observed in pure PbTiO₃. Possible reasons for this lowering of the critical pressure are presented.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Benzo[b]furans as Inhibitors of Tubulin Polymerization and Inducers of Apoptosis

A series of benzo[b]furans was synthesized with modification at the 5‐position of the benzene ring by introducing C‐linked substituents (aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, etc.). These compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities, inhibition of tubulin polymerization, and cell‐cycle effects. Some compounds in this series displayed excellent activity in the nanomolar range against lung cancer (A549) and renal cell carcinoma (ACHN) cancer cell lines. (6‐Methoxy‐5‐((4‐methoxyphenyl)ethynyl)‐3‐methylbenzofuran‐2‐yl)(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)methanone ( 26 ) and (E)‐3‐(6‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐2‐(1‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)vinyl)benzofuran‐5‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ol ( 36 ) showed significant activity in the A549 cell line, with IC₅₀ values of 0.08 and 0.06 μM , respectively. G₂/M cell‐cycle arrest and subsequent apoptosis was observed in the A549 cell line after treatment with these compounds. The most active compound in this series, 36 , also inhibited tubulin polymerization with a value similar to that of combretastatin A‐4 (1.95 and 1.86 μM , respectively). Furthermore, detailed biological studies such as Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA fragmentation and caspase‐3 assays, and western blot analyses with the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax and the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 also suggested that these compounds induce cell death by apoptosis. Molecular docking studies indicated that compound 36 interacts and binds efficiently with the tubulin protein.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole‐Linked Oxindoles as Potent Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors

A series of imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole‐linked oxindoles composed of an A, B, C and D ring system were synthesized and investigated for anti‐proliferative activity in various human cancer cell lines; test compounds were variously substituted at rings C and D. Among them, compounds 7 ((E)‐5‐fluoro‐3‐((6‐p‐tolyl‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐5‐yl)methylene)indolin‐2‐one), 11 ((E)‐3‐((6‐p‐tolyl‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐5‐yl)methylene)indolin‐2‐one), and 15 ((E)‐6‐chloro‐3‐((6‐phenyl‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐5‐yl)methylene)indolin‐2‐one) exhibited potent anti‐proliferative activity. Treatment with these three compounds resulted in accumulation of cells in G₂/M phase, inhibition of tubulin assembly, and increased cyclin‐B1 protein levels. Compound 7 displayed potent cytotoxicity, with an IC₅₀ range of 1.1–1.6 μM , and inhibited tubulin polymerization with an IC₅₀ value (0.15 μM ) lower than that of combretastatin A‐4 (1.16 μM ). Docking studies reveal that compounds 7 and 11 bind with αAsn101, βThr179, and βCys241 in the colchicine binding site of tubulin.     

Biological properties of curcumin-cellular and molecular mechanisms of action

Curcuminoids, a group of phenolic compounds isolated from the roots of Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), exhibit a variety of beneficial effects on health and on events that help in preventing certain diseases. A vast majority of these studies were carried out with curcumin (diferuloyl methane), which is a major curcuminoid. The most detailed studies using curcumin include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and antiinfectious activities. In addition, the wound healing and detoxifying properties of curcumin have also received considerable attention. As a result of extensive research on the therapeutic properties of curcumin, some understanding on the cellular, molecular, and biochemical mechanism of action of curcumin is emerging. These findings are summarized in this review.     

The Control Effect of Small Weights on Hand-Arm Movements in the Horizontal Plane

The control effect of weights of 0.12, 1.25, 2.38 and 3.25 pounds on speed, accuracy and physiological cost of hand-arm motions indicated: 1) Time increased 6% per pound; 2) Subject weight had no effect; 3) Cross-body movements should be given 7% additional time.